Markandeyapurana 46.15

46.15

tatastamoguṇodrikto rudratve cākhilaṃ jagat /
upasaṃhṛtya vai śete trailokyaṃ triguṇo 'guṇaḥ //

In the character of Brahmā he creates mankind; then possessing an excess of goodness, he becomes Viṣṇu and protects them righteously; then, with darkness preponderating in him, he as Rudra dissolves the whole universe with its three worlds, and sleeps. He possesses the three qualities, and yet he is destitute of qualities. Just as he is at first the pervading Soul, then the preserver, and lastly the destroyer,[7] so he takes appellations which designate him as Brahmā, Viṣṇu or Śiva. As Brahmā he creates the world; and as Rudra he destroys them; and as Viṣṇu he holds a neutral position. These are the three conditions of the Self-existent. Passion and Brahmā; darkness and Rudra; goodness and Viṣṇu the lord of the world: these indeed are the three deities; these indeed are the three qualities. These verily are mutually paired, and are mutually dependant: they are not separated for a moment; they do not forsake one another.